The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began yesterday, with more than 2.2 million candidates expected to sit for the examination across accredited centres. The examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is scheduled to end on April 22.

Registrar Ishaq Oloyede urged examination officials to demonstrate maximum commitment and professionalism, stressing that the success of the UTME largely depends on their performance and dedication to duty. The professor made the call during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination.

He commended staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers and technical advisers for their contributions to the successful conduct of the mock examination. According to him, most challenges recorded during the mock exercise were linked to inadequate assessment of centres by some technical officials.

Oloyede added that incentive packages would be provided for teams that demonstrate exceptional performance, including prompt handling of examination materials and timely submission of reports. He reiterated JAMB’s zero-tolerance policy on examination malpractice and warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.